Unions take new initiatives to tackle membership decline

*Figures include pensioners and unemployed members. As some trade unions do not give gender-disaggregated data for their retired members, the figures in column 2 and 3 do not necessarily add up to the total figures given in column 5.

Source: DGB.

Since 1991, when trade union membership was boosted because of gains due to German unification, membership of DGB has been in continuous decline. The 2004 figures are a setback to hopes that this decline might slow down. In 2003, DGB had lost 336,756 members (-4.4%). However, whereas losses increased at IG Bau, ver.di, GEW and NGG, the decline of membership remained stable at Transnet and the GdP and slowed down at IG Metall and IG BCE.

Difficulties

Workforce reductions are one reason for the overall decline in union membership. In some sectors, such as retail, the trade unions also have to struggle with a switch from full-time employment to marginal part-time jobs. Outsourcing and privatisation are still negatively affecting the unions' membership strongholds in the traditional industries and the public sector. Trade unions still find it difficult to compensate for these losses by expanding into other sectors, especially in private sector services where the predominance of small businesses, but also opposition by employers, make it difficult to establish an organised workplace presence, for example by establishing new works councils.

2004 was a further difficult year for the trade unions. Collective bargaining became increasingly difficult (DE0502202F). The average increase in wages was 2.5% which was 0.5 points below the rise in 2003. In the public sector and in manufacturing (DE0407106F, DE0408102N, DE0411203F and DE0412202F), there was increasing pressure for concessions. Furthermore, DGB continued to find itself in a politically difficult position in 2004 as the 'red-Green' coalition government continued to pursue its 'Agenda 2010' programme (DE0303105F), involving major cuts in the social security and benefit system (DE0401205F), despite mass protests in which the trade unions participated (DE0405201N).

DGB also points to the fact that about 20% of overall union membership are pensioners. Only 6% of members belong to the category defined by unions as 'youth', despite the fact that the definition of 'youth' has been extended over recent years. In trade unions like ver.di and IG Metall, the age limit for this category is set at 27, which is in line with the definition of youth in the Act on Help for Children and Young People (Kinder-und Jugendhilfegesetz - KJHG).

In companies where trade unions have a strong presence, the latter still manage to organise an average of between 60% and 70% of all new apprentices, but they have problems in reaching out to young people in workplaces that are not very well organised.

Initiatives

In this context, DGB affiliates have taken several initiatives to tackle membership decline. The key areas of activity considered by DGB to require attention are : the recruitment of young employees; the strengthening of ties between members and unions, especially amongst those employees aged between 25 and 45 years who often leave the union due to additional financial burdens when setting up a family; and organising new economic sectors and employment groups.

To secure a stronger presence amongst young people, DGB aims to address not only apprentices but also students at universities. GEW, for example, has been able to increase its membership in the state of Baden-Württemberg by intensifying its presence at universities and especially at seminars for the education of teachers. GEW has won about 3,000 new members by offering free membership for students. A further 1,000 new members have been enrolled in the field of further education due to extra efforts which were financed by increased membership income in the school sector.

The regional organisation of IG Metall in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has agreed with its local district organisations on clear targets for organising and recruitment. In January 2005, the number of new members was increased by 88% compared with January 2004 and the number of leavers was reduced by 56%.

Ver.di in Hamburg has established a new so-called service-centre to improve the trade union’s availability and service. At this centre, members not only get information but also receive help with legal questions and advice on issues such as early retirement. This centre has proved to be successful and ver.di is considering expanding this model to other union districts.

Furthermore, over 25-28 April 2005, ver.di held an 'Organising Week' in Hamburg under the slogan 'Never work alone'. Part of the week was a public conference organised by the Hans Böckler Foundation (Hans-Böckler-Stiftung) on new organising initiatives in the USA and Germany. Experts from American universities and US trade union representatives presented, together with German representatives, successful campaigns and organising drives in various industries and discussed the obstacles encountered by trade unions when trying to extend their presence.

Beside these and other such initiatives, DGB wants to promote better cooperation between its affiliates in order jointly to tackle 'blind spots' with no trade union presence. An example of 'best practice' in this area was a joint effort to organise a logistics centre in the state of Hesse in 2000, which led within two years to the establishment of 20 works councils and 2 representative bodies for young workers and trainees (Jugend- und Auszubildendenvertretung). DGB also recommends looking at potential 'synergies' and cost-saving projects in the field of administration which might be realised if affiliates cooperate at local level.

Commentary

DGB has been facing a continuous membership decline for over 10 years. This decline has accelerated in the last two years. It is therefore certainly time for DGB and its affiliates to examine their organising and recruitment activities. Despite an overall political climate that is not favourable towards the German trade unions, various examples of successful organising and recruitment activities show that the trade unions could do better than at present if their priorities were set accordingly. The membership balance for 2005 will show whether the unions have been successful in at least minimising the current losses in membership. (Heiner Dribbusch, Institute of Economic and Social Research, WSI)